Fresh Apple Cinnamon Scones

Apple cinnamon scones are flaky, buttery, and loaded with warm spices and tender apple pieces. Enjoy them with brunch, or as an afternoon snack. This recipe is dairy free and can easily be made gluten free.

Looking for more homemade scone recipes? Try my earl grey scones, cinnamon roll scones, or cheddar cheese and chive scones (dairy free).

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these cinnamon apple scones:

• All-purpose flour – use gluten free if needed.  works great.
• Organic cane sugar – or white granulated sugar.
• Baking powder – for fluffy scones.
• Homemade apple pie spice – ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground cloves. You can also use a store-bought blend.
• Kosher salt – helps keep the flavor balanced.
• Very cold butter – I like Miyoko’s dairy free butter, but any brand is fine.
• Coconut milk – use the full-fat kind in a can. This is a great replacement for heavy cream or whole milk in traditional scones.
• Large egg
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh apple – grated into the scones.
• Cinnamon glaze – powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk to thin.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Scones: Step By Step

Here are some quick visual instructions. The full instructions and ingredient list will be in the printable recipe card below!

1. Prep the apple. Shred the apple using the large grate on a box grater. Then place the shredded apple in a clean kitchen towel or nut milk bag and wring out the excess moisture from the apple. Discard the juice (or drink it) and set the grated apple aside.
2. Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and kosher salt.
3. Add cold butter. Work the cold butter into the flour mixture with your fingers (or a pastry cutter) until all the butter is covered in flour and you have pea-sized lumps. Place the bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the wet ingredients.
4. Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, egg, vanilla extract, and shredded apple.
5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold the ingredients together. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it until it forms a ball. First it’ll look dry but will become sticky near the ball stage.
6. Shape dough. Transfer the dough ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and shape it into an 8-inch disc either using your hands or a rolling pin (you may need to sprinkle the top with a little flour). Cut the dough into 8 equal wedges using a bench scraper or sharp knife. Chill in the fridge while you preheat the oven.
7. Bake. Brush the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut milk. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
8. Make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the tops of the cooled scones. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Keep the scone dough as cold as possible to prevent it from over-spreading in the oven.
• I prefer using shredded apples instead of chopped apples. The shredded apple integrates more easily into the scones.
• The secret to flaky scones is very cold, frozen butter. You can either use cubed butter like in pie dough or use a box grater to grate the frozen butter into the flour.
• If using gluten free flour, use a blend with xanthan gum for the best texture and results.
• You must squeeze out the excess juice from the apples, otherwise, it adds too much moisture and the dough will be very difficult to work with.

Storage

Refrigerator: Let cool to room temperature, then store leftover scones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 days.

Freeze after baking: Let the scones cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating: Reheat at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Apple Recipes

• Green Apple Mocktail With Lemon Ginger Syrup
• Shaved Fennel Apple Salad With Kale
• Cranberry Apple Oat Crumble
• Apple Mug Cake

I hope you love these Apple Cinnamon Scones! If you make this recipe, please leave a comment & a star rating below. Thank you!